The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-12-23
FIGHTING RAILROAD RoucHs.
The Encounter In Which a Portland
Drummer Took the Laurels.
South Lincoln Raided by Turbulent
Employees Of the h,egantlc.
a Bloody Assault in the office Of
Babcock's Hotel.

BANGOR, Dec. 22.-The people living adjacent
to the Megantic railroad line, frequently nave
rough experiences with the foreign labor there
There are now In JAN here three men who have
been bound over to the February term Of court
for assault with iHtent to kill. They, In company
with several others, created riot In the hamlet
Of South Lincoln. Deputy Sheriff Stevens OF that
town gives the particulars of the affair.
Six brawny men, living in railroad camps, hay-
ing been paid of and being filed with strong de
sire to celebrate, put in an appearance at Bah
cocks Hotel and demanded Of one Hurley, who
boarded there, and who was also railroad hand
that he procure them some rum. Hurley, who Is
a temperance man, refused, and asa result he
was set upon by the mob, and blood flowed freely.
Word was sent over to Lincoln, two miles away,
and eight men, among them being Sherin Stevens,
Constable Libby and Mr.. Albert =. Whittier, who
travels for Messrs. w. s. G. r. Mnllken Of Port.
land, took two teams and rapidly drove to the
scene. Arriving there they found the office floor
covered with blood, Hurley having been badly cut
up as was also Mr.. Babcock, an old man. ana the
owner Of the hotel. DIR. White had arrived ana
was attending TO the needs Of the injured men.
When Hurley was asked for description i,, oL t.e
found on each one, as be had Knocked them al
down at different stages 81 tie fight. This proved
TO be true, and Hurley was only conquered wiei
two men, having knives, eTept up behind him and
stabbed him.
Al this place there Is a ferry and crossing this,
the pursuit was continued Into the town OF Ches-
ter, where the railroad men mad separated, and
later the foremost wagon overlook three of The
men. In this wagon was tie Portland drummer,
who weighs Just one-eighth Of a ton, and WHO was
on his muscle that night.
IL was quite dark, and the railroad men, sup
posing the wagon 70 contain some 6elated farmer
halted 1t Ia true Dick Turpin style, and ordered
the occupants to alight which they did, anu while
q Bangor drummer held the lantern, the rest
sailed into the highwaymen. Two surrendered,
but the third, big bully, showed fight, and al
once engaged the Portland heavy weight.
Twice did the mercantile man lay out the Blue
nose, he falling, so the spectators say, as thotgh
struck with sledge hammer. Then he, TOO gave
In, and the three prisoners were returned, nan0-
cufed, to Lincoln, ana later were lodged III the
Jail here.
The other three escaped, though diIigent search
was made. The three men captured all bore the
marks" Of Hurley, who must have fought the sx
single-handed and who undoubtedly saved the
life of the old man BabcOck.
Again, on Tuesday last. some nve olher laDorefs
came out Of the woods and across the river, alC
proceeded 10 take charge Of the hamlet. Towards
night. messenger driving rapidly, arrived In Lin
coin and called upon Sheriff Stevens for aid Thai
officer was just about 20 take the train for down
Meanwhile, a descent had again been made upon
Landlord BabcOck, and demands made for food
and liquor. There was row, but II does not ap
pear that any blood was shed at this time, and the
gang fed on the approach OF the officers. The no
tel mentioned is one Of the largest and best II
eastern Maine, and Mr.. Babcock, who owns It, i
a man of means, owning much other property
near by, including a well stocked general store
A deputy sheriff says. that no liquor Is kept OF
sold there, but the railroad men think they car
get it, and as the place is a small one and without
telegraphic facilities or protection, they have ful
swing when they come In numbers.